The Feb. 7 editorial “Speak Up Mr. Speaker” ended with this paragraph: “As always, it’s difficult — but important — to remember what is at stake. A foreign power interfered with an American election.

Rather than help defend the country against future interference, the president is slandering the nation’s law enforcement and intelligent agencies. Mr. Ryan can abet the slander or he can help defend the country.” It is most important to remember that this “foreign power” is a very hostile one; namely, Russia under Vladimir Putin. Unfortunately, President Trump is clearly Mr. Putin’s puppet, gushing over him whenever he gets the opportunity.

And House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) is enabling the Russian puppet master. Mr. Ryan’s unpatriotic actions (turning a blind eye to Mr. Putin) and his cowardly subservience to Mr. Trump make him unworthy to serve as speaker.

Why haven’t the Republicans done anything to prevent Russian interference in the 2018 midterm elections? The answer is simple: Republicans know they are in trouble, and they want Russia to interfere so that they can keep their majorities in both houses.